LAS CRUCES - The Mayfield Trojans have bounced back a number of times this season from puzzling losses.

And on Saturday evening, they'll have to do so once again.

Coming off their 61-24 defeat to rival Las Cruces High in the District 3-5A tournament championship game, the Trojans do in fact get a home game in the opening round of the Class 5A State Boys Basketball Championships. Mayfield, seeded No. 8 in the 16-team bracket, will host No. 9 Highland on Saturday at 7 p.m.

"We have to bounce back again after a very disappointing game (last) Saturday," Trojans head coach Tommy Morrow said. "It's going to be a challenge. But it's just one game now to get to The Pit. And our guys are all in."

The Trojans have had a Jekyll and Hyde streak to them this year. In the pre-district schedule, it was in the form of a 79-75 road win at Hobbs, followed by a 49-48 road loss at Class 4A Deming.

Once the district season began, the Trojans lost their first two games on the schedule, only to bounce back and win six straight. Some of those victories down the stretch of their season came in big comeback fashion - fourth-quarter surges against Las Cruces High, Gadsden and Alamogordo saw the Trojans trail late in such contests, only to come out on top by the final horn.

During a Friday phone interview, Morrow said his team has won "four or five miracle or close-to-miracle games" this season.

"Some of our losses are kind of bad. Some of our wins are really good," said senior guard Isaac Rivera at Trojans practice last week.

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"When we play together and play as a team, everybody does their role and their job, we can be a great team."

Last weekend's home loss to the Bulldawgs came without senior wing Kavika Johnson, who was in Southern California at a football combine.

Johnson is expected to be back in the Trojans lineup on Saturday, and the team will get the Hornets at Mayfield High School, which are obvious benefits entering tournament play.

"If you told me at the beginning of the year, yes there would be ups and downs, but that we'd get a home game? I would have been happy with that," Morrow said.

One thing the Trojans have have displayed this season is resiliency and heart. Again, the team has consistently responded while pulling off some stirring comebacks throughout the year.

Morrow pointed to three seniors this year that have provided strong leadership: point guard Josh Luevano, Rivera and Johnson.

While Rivera is a fantastic athlete and competitor, Luevano isn't far behind. Johnson, who also stars for the Trojans on the football field, brings a winner's mentality to the hardwood.

"You're only as good as your core leadership, and that's how we've been able to get through these tough times," Morrow said.

They'll hope to continue that trend tonight, in a do-or-die scenario.

"It's good to be known as people that never give up," Luevano said. "No matter what the score, you should never give up.... We know we've got to work twice as hard."

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